Campus

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Campus

Stepping into drag and onto the stage

By Lili Cruz | November 9

Welcomed by a packed Underground Coffee House, Western Washington University’s Royal Gambit Drag Club kicked off their first-ever drag show with The Monster Mash: A Devilish Night of Drag.  The night of Oct. 29 consisted of nine performers taking turns lip-syncing to songs while performing pre-planned pantomimes and dancing. The queens, kings and monarchs were all met with an exuberant crowd that they said surpassed all expectations.

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Campus

WWU orchestra brings back Coast Salish-inspired piece after 16 years

By Bryn VanMansum | November 9

In 2006, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra debuted a piece commissioned by Upper Skagit elder Vi Hilbert and composed by Bruce Ruddell titled “The Healing Heart of the First People of this Land.” After remaining unplayed for 16 years, the piece is being revived at Western Washington University on Nov. 9.

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Campus

The Illustrious Pearl performs at WWU

By Olivia Carda | November 7

“This is a good drag show because it’s running late, so you know it’s going to be the real experience,” Chan joked as they prepped for their set.  The audience cheered as Wo Chan, The Illustrious Pearl in drag, strutted into the Multicultural Center on Western Washington University’s campus sporting a bright red lip, a black studded wig cap and carrying a basket full of mysterious props. 

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Campus

What’s that noise? It's art!

By Adam Race | November 5

Students walking past the Western Gallery in the middle of Western Washington University’s campus this fall have been hearing a variety of noises from the front of the building. Students may have heard bird noises, rock ‘n’ roll or even audio essays coming from the exhibits. These noises are from an exhibition called "Sound Out Radio," an internet radio station being played out for the student body to hear.

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Campus

Free access to period products arrives at Western

By Dani Gibson | October 31

Since returning to campus for fall quarter, many Western Washington University students have noticed that the menstrual products offered in dispensers in restrooms are now free.

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City & County

Spooky snacks to share with friends and family

By Paloma Ortiz | October 30

Halloween can be celebrated in many different ways: dressing up as someone or something you like, partying until 2 a.m. with your friends, staying at home and giving candy to the kids, watching scary movies or all of the above.  One thing everyone consistently loves during the Halloween season, however, is candy and spooky snacks.

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Campus

BRIEF: Poet and performer Wo Chan comes to Western

By Olivia Carda | October 30

Poet, drag queen and now author, Wo Chan, is visiting Western Washington University on Monday, Oct. 31, in the Multicultural Center to talk about their first book, “Togetherness.” 

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Campus

WWU’s career fair: Here’s what you missed

By Kota Sato | October 28

Western Washington University’s career and internship fair took place on Oct. 21, where representatives from various jobs gathered in the Multi-Activity Court Gym in the Wade King Student Recreation Center to give students a better idea of their future.

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Campus

WWU student earns title ‘best woman surfskiier under 23 years old’

By Chloe Nelson | October 26

Ana Swetish, a third-year student at Western Washington University, is the best surfski competitor in the world under 23 years old. Her journey began when she was 11 years old. “In 2013, a kid’s kayak team started in Bellingham on Lake Padden, and my dad signed my sister and I up,” Swetish said. “I fell in love with it.”

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Campus

Let's get drawing with VU Gallery

By Paloma Ortiz | October 23

Western Washington University’s Drawing Jam is an annual event that happens every fall quarter in the Viking Union Gallery room 507. It is a way to incentivize students to share their drawing skills and make friends.  This year, the event took place from Oct. 4 to Oct. 14. 

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Washington State

BRIEF: Gov. Inslee announces reproductive rights state amendment

By Finn Wendt | October 22

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday, Oct. 21, that a state amendment to protect reproductive rights is in the works to be added to Washington’s constitution.

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Campus

Western’s campus welcomes students, their families at the start of Fall Family Weekend

By Bryn VanMansum | October 22

Those visiting Western Washington University’s campus this weekend might notice an unusual number of students wandering campus accompanied by their parents or chosen family members. From Oct. 21-23, Fall Family Weekend takes over campus with a wide range of events for students and their visiting families. 

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Campus

The Front’s statement regarding recent guest column

By The Front | October 21

We are issuing an apology for publishing a guest column titled “OPINION: We need to change the stigma around sexual assault” on Oct. 20, 2022.  This column was submitted by a guest columnist who is a Western student but is not affiliated with The Front or the journalism department. While the piece was tagged as “opinion” on our website, we initially failed to label it as a guest opinion piece in the headline. We take responsibility for publishing it, and we did so understanding that the column presented complex and even offensive ideas. 

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Campus

What's up with Western’s parking?

By Adam Race | October 19

Students trying to park in Western Washington University's C-lot this fall have been sharing a major issue: There are too many cars and not enough spots. Students pay $293 for an academic-year-long parking pass in the C-lot, and yet they still aren’t necessarily guaranteed a spot, as many of them are having trouble finding a place to park during peak class hours. 

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Campus

Need food? Try these on-campus pantries for free snacks, meals and produce

By Liz McLane | October 18

Take a trip with me: you’re on the campus of Western Washington University, walking south towards the stairs to nowhere. You enter the Environmental Studies building and walk up that dingy flight of stairs to the second floor. Walking east, you pass the geology department’s various museum displays —  bugs stuck in amber and ancient animal tracks. Finally, you reach the end of the hallway — room 213.  Look to your left and you’ll see a big set of cabinets and one small mini fridge. These, unlike the fossils just a few feet away, are quite new. The geology department just introduced their department’s food pantry, stocked with food for whoever passes by and needs it. 

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Campus

Open Mic Night resumes at the Underground Coffeehouse

By Bryn VanMansum | October 18

Almost every Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Underground Coffeehouse is flooded with creatives and creative enthusiasts looking to catch a glimpse of up-and-coming talent in Western Washington University’s community.  Open Mic Night features a wide range of acts, from musical performances to poetry readings and stand up acts. Regardless of one’s interests, the event has something for everybody.

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City & County

Sustaining a bee-utiful environment

By Kota Sato | October 18

Western Washington University's Outback Farm has worked with the Xerces Society to officially become a bee campus, allowing the farm to protect and keep these endangered insects in the campus's backyard.  “Becoming a bee-certified campus from the Xerces Society means that we are taking steps, collaboratively across campus to protect pollinators,” said Terri Kempton, firm manager of Outback Farm and teaching professor at Fairhaven College. “One is that we have an apiary, and we are giving students a chance to get involved with our most delicious animal partnership because we get to harvest their honey.” 

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Campus

You got the diploma … now what?

By Lili Cruz | October 17

The monumental task of switching the tassel from right to left is over. The rental cap and gown have been returned and the official diploma is due in the mail any day now… so, what comes next?

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Campus

Western sees largest freshman class in school history; first generation, transfer numbers still dwindle

By Liz McLane | October 14

Data released last week revealed that the incoming class of first-year students at Western Washington University is indeed the largest cohort the school has seen in its 129-year history.  The Office of Institutional Effectiveness, which provides yearly student demographic and enrollment data, reported that the new freshman class is composed of a total of 3,225 students, which exceeds pre-pandemic numbers. That’s up 3.5% since the fall of 2019, when the last set of enrollment data before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was released.  This jump in enrollment comes after two years of decline at Western, following a trend that public four-year schools across the country saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Campus

BRIEF: Western gets national recognition as top-ranked master’s-granting university

By Paloma Ortiz | October 12

Western Washington University was ranked 16th last month on Washington Monthly’s list of master’s-granting liberal arts colleges for its success in promoting public services and social mobility.  According to its website, Washington Monthly ranks liberal arts colleges - “four year institutions that award almost exclusively bachelor’s degrees and that focus on arts and science rather than professional programs.”